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The Build Math Minds Podcast

By Christina Tondevold

The Build Math Minds podcast is for my fellow Recovering Traditionalists out there. If you don't know whether or not you are a Recovering Traditionalist, here's how I define us. We are math educators who used to teach math the traditional way. Flip lesson by lesson in the textbook, directly teaching step-by-step how to solve math problems. But now, we are working to change that to a style of teaching math that is fun and meets our students where they are at, not just teaching what comes next in the textbook. We want to encourage our students to be thinkers, problem solvers, and lovers of mathematics..we are wanting to build our students math minds and not just create calculators. If that is you, then this podcast is for you.

14 episodes

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All Episodes

Virtual Math Summit's Residue: Listening, AI, and Confidence Drive Lasting Change

Mar 07, 2026

Unlock unexpected insights from professional development. Discover how subtle shifts in perspective and practice empower educators with confidence, inspire action, and foster lasting student engagement.

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Community Support--Not Information--Drives Math Education Transformation

Feb 22, 2026

Transforming math education hinges on community, not just strategies. Discover how shared struggle and collaborative momentum overcome the isolation that stifles lasting change.

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CRA Model's Sweet Spot: Anchoring Upper Elementary Math Comprehension

Feb 15, 2026

Upper elementary math requires concrete and visual tools, not just abstract symbols. Skipping these anchors breeds rote memorization and widens foundational gaps, hindering true understanding.

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Incremental Adoption of Thinking Classroom Practices Boosts Teacher Success

Feb 08, 2026

Overwhelm derails math reform. Implement one research-backed practice at a time, aligned with teacher goals, to foster genuine mathematical thinking and lasting change.

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Three Pillars of Math Fluency: Accuracy, Efficiency, and Flexibility

Feb 01, 2026

True math fluency demands accuracy, efficiency, and flexibility. Develop students who master all three for robust, adaptable understanding.

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AI's Utility in Education: Automating Tasks, Amplifying Human Capacity

Jan 25, 2026

AI-generated math lessons fail due to flawed learning progression understanding. Leverage AI for data analysis and communication drafts to free up time for crucial human-centered teaching.

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Shifting Math Instruction From Blame to Actionable Recovery

Jan 18, 2026

Shift from "they should know this" to actionable math recovery strategies. Identify precise gaps, build foundational skills into current lessons, and normalize longer timelines to foster hope and progress.

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Critically Evaluate Research Origin and Downsides in Math Instruction

Jan 11, 2026

Math instruction requires critical research evaluation; applying reading research can harm students due to fundamental cognitive differences.

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Shifting Math Practice to Sorting and Matching Fosters Flexible Thinking

Dec 14, 2025

Transform math practice from rote memorization to mindful learning by using sorting and matching tasks that build flexible thinking and interconnected conceptual understanding.

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Shifting From Equality to Structure for Dynamic Instructional Balance

Dec 07, 2025

True teaching balance means strategically adjusting instructional emphasis based on student needs, not equal time. This dynamic "rock structure" approach prevents burnout and fosters deeper understanding.

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Beyond Rote: Cultivating Flexible Mathematical Thinkers

Nov 23, 2025

Cultivate mathematical thinkers, not just calculators, by prioritizing flexible problem-solving and conceptual understanding over rote memorization for lifelong cognitive benefits.

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Unlock Multiplication Through Subitizing and Foundational Facts

Nov 16, 2025

Master multiplication by transforming rote memorization into conceptual understanding through subitizing and focusing on foundational fact relationships, unlocking a network of interconnected mathematical insights.

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Instantly Grasp Fractions: The Power of Subitizing

Nov 09, 2025

Instantly recognize fractional quantities without counting. This crucial skill unlocks deeper understanding of fraction relationships, composition, and operations, moving beyond rote memorization for elementary students.

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Replace, Don't Add: Boost Math Skills in Minutes

Nov 02, 2025

Replace less effective math activities with engaging number sense builders to save time and foster deeper understanding, enabling faster learning and flexible problem-solving.

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